Camping in the Dolomites: Best Campsites & Campervan Spots (2026)

Updated for 2026 with the latest campsite info, campervan parking rules, and wild camping regulations.

I’ve spent time exploring the Dolomites by campervan, and camping is still one of my favorite ways to see this mountain range. But it isn’t as simple as finding a beautiful pull-off and staying the night. Wild camping is restricted, the best campsites in the Dolomites fill up fast in summer, and different valleys suit very different trips. This guide covers where to camp, the best campervan parking areas, what wild camping in the Dolomites actually allows, what it costs, and what I learned from doing it myself.

In this guide you’ll find:

• Best campsites in the Dolomites (with a quick comparison table)
• Best areas to camp, by what you want to see
• Campervan parking and driving tips
• Wild camping rules, explained properly
• What camping in the Dolomites costs
• Best time of year to go
• What I’d do differently next time

Why Camp in the Dolomites

If you’ve scrolled through Instagram wondering where those iconic alpine shots come from, it’s probably here. This UNESCO World Heritage site in Northern Italy holds over 90,000 acres of alpine meadows, forests, and pale rock formations that glow pink at sunset (locals call it “enrosadira“).

Camping puts you closer to all of it than any hotel can. You wake up with mountain views out the window, not a parking lot. Cell service can be spotty, which is exactly the point. Last summer I explored South Tyrol in a campervan with a girlfriend, and this guide is built on what we found, updated with the current rules for 2026.

Best Campsites in the Dolomites: Quick Comparison

Here’s the short version, so you can pick a base and skip ahead if you want. Full details on each are below.

Facilities and prices change season to season. Confirm wellness areas, pool access, and cabin availability directly with each campsite before booking.

Compare campsite availability and prices

Best Areas for Camping in the Dolomites

The Dolomites stretch across several provinces, so where you camp should depend on what you want to see, not the other way around. Here’s how I’d split it by region and the mountain views each one gets you closest to.

Cortina d’Ampezzo and the eastern passes Your first stop if this is your first Dolomites trip. Touristy, but for good reason: you’re within easy reach of Cinque Torri, Passo Falzarego, and some of the most photographed peaks in the range. Good amenities if you’re new to camping here.

Dobbiaco (Toblach) and Sexten The perfect starting point for Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Lago di Braies. This is the heart of the Dolomites for most first-time visitors, and Camping Toblacher See sits right on a small alpine lake near the Austrian border.

Alta Badia and Val Badia Quieter valleys with access to the Fanes Group and the Fanes-Sennes-Braies natural park. If you want hiking without the Cortina crowds, this is your area. Camping Sass Dlacia is nestled in forest here, a short drive from some of the best trailheads in Italy’s nature parks.

Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi Gentler valleys with more family-friendly campgrounds. Playgrounds, small shops, and easier hiking trails. Cable cars give you access to Alpe di Siusi and Seceda without a long climb.

Val di Fassa Home to Pozza di Fassa and access to the Sella Group and the Sella Pass, one of the best road trips in the range if climbing or cycling is your thing. Camping Vidor is based here, with a proper wellness area attached.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links which come at no extra cost to you and allow me to keep running this blog.

Tent Camping vs Campervan: Which Suits Your Trip

I’ve only done a campervan trip in the Dolomites, but tent camping works just as well if you have a car (or a bike) and a plan.

Tent camping is best for:

• Hikers staying at established campsites
• Lightweight travel, especially if you’re connecting Alta Via hut-to-hut routes
• Anyone on a tighter budget

Campervanning is best for:

• Road trips between valleys
• Those who want to move fast when the weather changes
• Carrying hiking or camping gear without repacking a car boot each morning

One important distinction before you plan around it: a campervan does not mean you can park overnight wherever you like. More on that below.

Campervanning in the Dolomites: The Practical Version

Italy is a genuinely friendly country for van lifers. There’s a wide network of official motorhome stopover areas (called aree di sosta camper or PZA) in mountain towns throughout the Dolomites, where you can park overnight for a small fee, often with basic services like water and electricity.

The freedom is the real appeal. Found a trail you want to hike at sunrise? Park at the trailhead the night before. Discovered a viewpoint too good to leave? Stay another night, provided your spot allows it.

Can I drive a campervan on Dolomites mountain roads?

Yes, but plan around it rather than winging it. A few helpful tips from actually doing this:

• Go compact. Mountain roads are narrow and winding, with tight hairpins on passes like Falzarego and Sella. A large RV will slow you down and frustrate the locals stuck behind you. A compact campervan handles the switchbacks far more comfortably.
• Enter your vehicle’s real dimensions into navigation. Height and width restrictions exist on some roads, and generic map apps don’t always flag them.
• Check pass and road conditions before you go, especially early or late season, when snow can close a pass overnight.
• Not every viewpoint is campervan-accessible. Some of the best lookouts have parking built for cars, not vans, particularly around Lake Braies and Cinque Torri in peak season.
• Watch for ZTL zones. Italian towns have restricted traffic zones (Zona Traffico Limitato) that carry real fines if you enter without authorization. Check town websites before driving into historic centers.

Best campervan parking areas in the Dolomites

These are areas near major attractions with official overnight parking or nearby campsites, not spots to wild camp:

1. Misurina Lake area (east) – Close to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, with authorized overnight campervan parking areas. Easy access to one of the best day hikes in the Alps.
2. Passo Giau and Passo Falzarego – High-altitude passes with panoramic mountain views. A limited number of designated campervan spots sit near the top. Arrive early, they fill fast.
3. Val Gardena – Several campervan areas near Ortisei and Santa Cristina, within walking distance of bus stops connecting to car-free hiking zones.
4. Alpe di Siusi plateau access points – The plateau itself is car-free, so park at a designated area below and take the cable car up.
5. Lago di Braies (limited spots) – Book well ahead. Arrive after the day crowds leave and you’ll have the lake nearly to yourself.

Download Park4Night and Campercontact before you go. Both apps show verified campervan spots with current user reviews and facilities, which matters a whole lot more than anything I could tell you here, since availability shifts by season.

Free or low-cost campervan parking in the Dolomites

Worth being precise about this, because “free” and “legal” aren’t the same thing. In the Dolomites you’ll generally find:

• Official campsites – full facilities, always legal, usually bookable.
• Official motorhome stopovers (PZA) – basic facilities, a fee, legal, but capped at a maximum stay (commonly 72 hours in South Tyrol).
• Regular paid parking that permits overnight stays – check signage, not every paid lot allows sleeping in your vehicle.
• Wild camping – not legal in most of the Dolomites. See the section below before you plan around it.

Most legitimate spots cost between €5 and €15 a night. Treat anything advertised purely as “free camping” with caution and verify it on Park4Night before you rely on it.

Don’t have a campervan?

If you’re flying into northern Italy without your own van, a camper rental can make a multi-day Dolomites trip much easier than juggling hotels between valleys. Compare pickup locations, vehicle size, and included mileage before booking, and go compact for the mountain roads above.

My 5 Favorite Camping Bases in the Dolomites

These are my picks, not a ranking of every campsite in the range. All five have on-site restaurant options or food within walking distance, and all should really be booked ahead. I’ve flagged what to verify directly with each site before you book, since amenities and prices shift year to year.

1. Best for Tre Cime: Camping Toblacher See – Right next to a small alpine lake near the Austrian border, with a location that puts you within easy reach of both the eastern and central Dolomites. Choose it if you want lake views and a base close to Tre Cime. Tent pitches, mobile homes, and campervan spaces available. Check availability
2. Best for wellness and families: Camping Vidor – A quiet, shady family campsite in Val di Fassa with a wellness area attached, sauna included on some passes. Choose it if you want an active holiday with a relaxing atmosphere to come back to in the evening. The on-site restaurant serves proper mountain food. Check availability
3. Best for hiking and nature: Camping Sass Dlacia – Nestled in forest below towering rock formations in Alta Badia, with sustainability front and center: solar heating, locally sourced food in the on-site shop. Choose it if you want to disconnect and hike straight from your pitch. Check availability
4. Best for luxury: Caravan Park Sexten – A 5-star site with a wellness spa and outdoor pool. Both campsite pitches and double rooms available. The Three Peaks Nature Park is right on your doorstep, with cable car access and a sun terrace. Choose it if you want mountain luxury without leaving the campsite. Check availability
5. Best for hiking and biking trails from the gate: Valle Verde – Multiple trails start a minute’s walk from the campsite. Options range from premium pitches to simpler 3-star spots on grass. Choose it if you want to walk straight from your tent onto a trail. Check availability

Other campsites that come up consistently on booking platforms and are worth comparing against my picks: Camping Seiser Alm in Alpe di Siusi, and both Vidor and Caravan Park Sexten also rank highly on independent camping directories, which lines up with my own experience.

Quieter Alternatives to the Busiest Dolomites Camping Areas

Lago di Braies has become the poster child of the Dolomites thanks to social media, and Lago di Braies camping options are near-impossible to get during peak season — leave alone finding a parking spot to go and explore for a day. These three areas get you similar scenery without the same crowds, though you’ll trade some name recognition and a few amenities for the quiet:

• Val di Funes – Small, family-run campgrounds with direct views of the Odle peaks and strong local Tyrolean culture. Farmhouse restaurants like the friendly Agriturismo Montibeller serve mountain specialties alla baita, the simple, hearty way you’d eat at a mountain hut.
• Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) – Europe’s largest high-alpine meadow, largely car-free, with several campsites along its perimeter. A paradise for day hiking from a fixed base.
• Marmolada area – Camping near Italy’s highest Dolomite peak, with access to glaciers and high-alpine routes. Fewer people, more exposed weather, worth it for the scenery.

Can You Wild Camp in the Dolomites?

Generally, no. Wild camping is prohibited across most of South Tyrol and the wider Dolomites, including national and regional parks, and the rules have been getting stricter, not looser. Some municipalities, including Selva di Val Gardena, are moving toward explicit bans on overnight stays in vehicles and tents outside official sites.

Here’s what actually applies:

Tent camping in forests and valleys

Not permitted in most of the Dolomites. National and regional park regulations prohibit it outright, and enforcement has increased.

Campervans and motorhomes

Free-standing overnight parking outside official areas is not legal in South Tyrol. If you’re travelling by campervan, use an official campsite or a designated motorhome stopover (PZA), which typically caps stays at 72 hours and offers only basic facilities. For a longer or more comfortable stay, book a campsite.

Bivouacking above the tree line

In some remote alpine zones, brief, unplanned bivouacking without a tent is treated differently from planned camping, but this varies by municipality and is not a blanket right. Check local signage and don’t treat it as a loophole for a camping holiday.

No fires, ever

Open fires are forbidden throughout the alpine region, tolerated bivouac or not. Bring a camping stove.

Leave no trace

The Dolomites are UNESCO-protected. Pack out everything.

Ask before camping on private land

If a farmer or landowner gives you explicit permission to pitch on their property, that’s a legitimate option outside the official-site system. Always ask first and never assume.

The short version: for a real camping holiday, plan around official campsites and motorhome stopovers. Fines for wild camping in protected areas can run into the thousands of euros, and rules can shift from one season to the next, so check the current regulations for your specific municipality before you go.

How Much Does Camping in the Dolomites Cost?

Rough numbers to help you budget, checked in 2026 but worth reconfirming when you book, since prices vary a lot by season and campsite:

• Tent pitch: roughly €15-€30 per night for two people, before extras.
• Campervan pitch: roughly €20-€40 per night, depending on electricity and facilities.
• Electricity hookup: often a few euros extra per night if not already included.
• Motorhome stopover (PZA): typically €5-€15 per night for basic services.
• Glamping, mobile homes, or frame cabins: considerably more, often €80-€200+ per night depending on the site and season.
• Wellness extras: some campsites charge separately for sauna or pool access, others include it in a resort fee.

These are initial prices to plan around, not quotes. Confirm the actual rate for your dates directly with the campsite or through the booking link above.

ACSI discount card

If you camp regularly across Europe, an ACSI card gets you discounted rates at hundreds of campsites in Italy, including several in the Dolomites. Worth picking up before a longer trip.

Practical Things to Know

• Reservations: During July and August especially, book ahead at popular Dolomites campsites. September offers a much better balance of good weather and thinner crowds.
• Weather conditions: Even in summer, mountain weather is unpredictable. I’ve woken up to snow in August, so pack layers and proper rain gear regardless of the forecast.
• Winter camping: A different proposition altogether. Many summer campsites close, mountain roads and weather conditions change fast, and winter camping requires real cold-weather camping gear and a site that operates year-round. Check before assuming a site is open.
• Languages: The Dolomites sit at a cultural crossroads. Italian, German, and Ladin (an ancient Romance language) are all spoken here, depending on the valley. My German came in handy!
• Mobile homes and glamping: Not into tent camping? Many of the best campsites in the Dolomites also offer mobile homes, and some now offer frame cabins, at a fraction of hotel prices.

Driving practicalities

• Gas stations: Not all Italian gas stations accommodate taller vehicles. Look for camper-friendly stations on main roads.
• Evening ritual: The passeggiata (evening stroll) is a real tradition. Park for the night and join locals for it. It’s the best way to find the gelato shop or bar the locals actually prefer.

Beyond Camping: Day Trips Worth Taking

• The Great Dolomites Road: A historic driving route from Bolzano to Cortina through multiple passes, including Falzarego Pass and Sella Pass. Start early to avoid tour buses on the narrower sections.
• Cinque Torri and rifugio hopping: An extensive network of mountain huts (rifugi) sits across the range, with Cinque Torri one of the most accessible and dramatic. Even if you’re camping, a day hike to a rifugio for lunch is worth it: homemade canederli (bread dumplings) or polenta with mushrooms, eaten alla baita. Rifugi are generally open June through September.
• Lake days: When your hiking legs need a rest, alpine lakes scattered through the region offer a perfect recovery day. Lago di Carezza, with its unbelievable emerald color, rarely disappoints.

Is September a Good Time for Camping in the Dolomites?

Yes. September is genuinely one of my favorite times to camp in the Dolomites, and it’s an underrated window if you’re planning a trip right now.

• Fewer crowds at the campsites and on the trails.
• The larches turn gold, and the air has a clarity that makes for the best mountain photography of the year.
• Better campsite availability, including at sites that are fully booked in July and August.
• Prices drop below peak season rates at most campsites.
• Cooler nights, so pack a proper sleeping bag even if the days are mild.
• Shorter daylight and higher-altitude snow risk, so plan hikes earlier in the day and check conditions on higher passes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wild camp in the Dolomites?

No, not legally in most areas. Wild camping is prohibited across most of South Tyrol and the wider Dolomites, particularly in national and regional parks, and enforcement is increasing. Use an official campsite or a designated motorhome stopover instead.

Where can you park a campervan overnight in the Dolomites?

At official campsites or designated motorhome stopover areas (PZA), which typically cap stays at 72 hours and charge a small fee for basic facilities. Use Park4Night or Campercontact to find current, verified spots.

What is the best campsite in the Dolomites?

It depends on what you want. Caravan Park Sexten is the strongest pick for facilities and location near Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Camping Sass Dlacia is better for a quieter, hiking-focused base. See the comparison table above for the full breakdown.

Can you camp near Tre Cime di Lavaredo?

Yes. Camping Toblacher See and Caravan Park Sexten both sit within easy driving distance, and the Misurina Lake area has authorized campervan parking close to the trailhead.

Can you camp near Lago di Braies?

Overnight spots directly at the lake are extremely limited and fill up months ahead. Base yourself in Dobbiaco or Sexten instead and drive in early, ideally after the day-trip crowds have left.

Is September good for camping in the Dolomites?

Yes, it’s one of the best windows of the year: fewer crowds, better availability, lower prices, and golden larch forests, with the trade-off of cooler nights and shorter days.

Do you need to book Dolomites campsites in advance?

During July and August, yes, well ahead. Outside high season, walk-in pitches are usually available, though the most popular sites still fill on weekends.

How much does camping in the Dolomites cost?

Expect roughly €15-€40 per night for a tent or campervan pitch, €5-€15 for a basic motorhome stopover, and considerably more for glamping or a frame cabin. See the cost breakdown above for specifics.

Is campervanning in the Dolomites difficult?

Not if you go compact and plan ahead. The mountain passes have tight hairpins, so a large RV makes the trip harder than it needs to be. Enter your vehicle’s real dimensions into navigation and check road conditions before tackling higher passes.

Planning Your Dolomites Camping Trip

A quick way to decide where to base yourself:

• Want Tre Cime or Lago di Braies? → Dobbiaco or Sexten
• Want Seceda or Alpe di Siusi? → Val Gardena
• Want the Sella Group or Marmolada? → Val di Fassa
• Want quiet hiking away from the crowds? → Alta Badia or Val di Funes
• Want wellness and a bit of luxury? → Caravan Park Sexten or Camping Vidor
• Travelling by campervan? → stick to official campsites or PZA stopovers, never assume a spot is legal
• Planning for September? → book early, expect fewer crowds and better prices

Whether you’re tent camping in a meadow or navigating mountain passes by campervan, the Dolomites deliver something no hotel can. Just leave your campsite cleaner than you found it, so these mountains stay one of the best camping destinations in Europe for years to come.

For a broader trip plan, see my Dolomites travel guide and Dolomites hiking guide.

Amélie

Amélie is a health and wellness junky. Certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance in the Vinyasa and Ashtanga styles, she has a Yoga Instructor Certification – Level I (300 hours) and Yoga Instructor Certification – Level II (200 hours) under her belt. She also has a certified Open Water Diver certification with PADI and SSI Scuba Schools International Freediving Level I certification with SSI Scuba Schools International. She’s been vegan for over 15 years and is obsessed with anything wellness-related.